Leigh forward Gareth Hock cleared over match official charge

Former England forward Gareth Hock has been found not guilty of making deliberate contact with a match official, but has been banned for three matches for punching.

The former Wigan and Salford second rower was one of three Leigh forwards charged by the Rugby Football League with offences arising from the club's stormy Kingstone Press Championship match against Swinton last month.

Hock denied a charge of making deliberate or reckless physical contact with a match official when he appeared in front of a disciplinary tribunal in Leeds on Tuesday night and was found not guilty.

However, he pleaded guilty to a grade D offence of repeated punching and received a three-match ban and a £100 fine.

Team-mate Jamie Acton pleaded guilty to a charge of repeated punching and was given a four-match ban and a £100 fine. Acton also admitted a separate grade D offence of striking Swinton player Zak Johnson with his knees and given an additional three-match suspension.

Meanwhile, Leigh captain Micky Higham has been handed a three-match ban after admitting a grade D dangerous throw during the Centurions' 48-6 win over the Lions.

All three players have already served one game of their bans during last Saturday's match against Whitehaven.